Sisi asks housing minister to form new Egyptian government

Egypt's President Abdel-Fatah al-Sisi appointed Housing Minister Mustafa Madbouly as his new premier on Thursday and asked him to form a government.

It comes three days after the previous prime minister, Sherif Ismail, submitted his government's resignation, in keeping with political tradition at the start of a new presidential term.

Sisi was sworn in on Saturday for a second, four-year term in office, following an election in which he faced no serious challengers and arrested opponents.

Sisi and Ismail are thought to enjoy a close working relationship, AP reported.

Ismail sought medical treatment in Germany late last year with Madbouly serving as acting prime minister in November.

Madbouly is a 52-year-old architect and urban designer was widely expected to succeed Ismail.

Sisi came to power in 2013 following a military coup against Egypt's first democratically-elected government, and has launched a fierce clampdown on potential opponents and dissidents since he came to power.